Have you sat in the window seat on a plane ride? That is my favorite seat. I love seeing the view from 30,000 feet. Sprawling greenery, mountains, rivers. It’s amazing and such a different view when you can see it from so far above. It’s a beautiful reminder of how changing our perspective can very possibly change our opinion. Taking the time to examine the big picture might be the thing to change your life!
As the plane takes off or comes in for landing, it is so neat to watch the greenery take shape into trees, boxes turn into houses, and brown squares turn into fields sprouting with new crops. Another thing I love to see is how the roads intersect and have so many grid formations. If you’re a road engineer, kudos to you! It must take a lot of planning to coordinate how to do road design!
On the Ground
When we’re on the ground instead of in the sky, we mostly see what’s right in front of us. Sometimes we can look right past what’s right in front of us. But that’s for a different time. When movement happens on that field across the street, we take notice. Or the mall slowly gets torn down. We wonder what will it be turned into. What is going to come of this movement? When a field turns into a collection of equipment and dirt, we wonder if it will be a new strip of businesses or if it will become a housing development.
In my family, when we see a site start turning into a house, we get so excited. We observe the property stakes and try to guess where the house will be located. When they start to form the foundation, we guess what the house will look it. Will it be one story or two? Are new kids going to move in? Will they have a garage or pool? We find the entertainment in guessing but when it comes to the actual work, it’s all part of a plan. Someone took the time to examine the big picture and develop a plan and process for where and how to build the house.
In the Details
As someone who has remodeled recently, I know the intricacies of selecting all the small details. Just like when you build a house, every single thing has to be selected. It can start to feel overwhelming when you need to make so many small decisions. And sometimes when you’re so deep into those details, you forget the big picture. The key is to keeping that big picture, that plan, in front of you so you can remember what and why you’re doing this.
Zoom In and Out
This can be in your marriage, your parenting, your work or career, your business, any aspect of your life. Find ways to zoom in to the details and zoom out to the big picture, the vision, the big dream. If you’re stuck in the details, you need to pull yourself up and get a reminder of the big picture view. If you need help crafting a vision, check out this blog post.
If you need help staying accountable, find an accountability buddy. Partner up with someone in your community, in person or online. Share your dreams, vision, and plans so you can remember the big picture when you’re in the midst of walking out all the small details.
If you’re in business and you’re finding it hard to focus ON the business parts, not just doing the actual work, reach out! Don’t let yourself get lost in the weeds. You’re not alone! Taking the time to examine the big picture might be the thing to change your life!
